Legacy device bridge for residential or non-residential networks

ABSTRACT

A legacy device bridge for use in a network, such as a wired or wireless residential network, is provided. The legacy device bridge performs protocol conversion to enable a network-attached entity that uses a packet-based communication protocol to communicate with and control legacy devices, such as consumer electronics, that rely exclusively on infrared (IR) or serial communication protocols. The legacy device bridge also performs a virtualization function that allows legacy devices to be advertised to the network as devices that comply with a packet-based discovery and control protocol, and to be controlled as such. The legacy device bridge is also adapted to probe, deduce and publish information relating to the state of a legacy device to other entities on the network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/387,590, filed Mar. 14, 2003 (now allowed), which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/438,296, filed Jan. 7, 2003.The entirety of each of these applications is incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to networks. More particularly,the present invention relates to an interface device for discovering,communicating with and controlling devices attached to a network, suchas a wired or wireless residential network.

2. Background

Networks in homes and small offices are becoming increasingly popular.This is due, in large part, to an increase in the number of householdsand small offices having more than one personal computer (PC). Networksprovide a variety of benefits to such multi-computer households andoffices. For example, such networks enable the users of multiple PCs toshare a common printer, to share documents and other files, and toaccess the Internet via a common network connection.

In light of this increasing popularity, it would be beneficial to extendhome/office networks to permit communication with and control ofconventional consumer electronic devices such as televisions, stereoequipment, video cassette recorders (VCRs) and digital video disk (DVD)players. However, the vast majority of consumer electronic devicesemploy infra-red (“IR”) communication as a means of remote devicecontrol. Alternatively, serial communication and radio frequency (RF)protocols are used. Unfortunately, these modes of communication are notcompatible with packet-based communication protocols, such as TCP/IP,that are used for communication over many home/office networks.

It would also be beneficial to enable conventional consumer electronicdevices to advertise themselves to devices on a home/office network andto publish command sets by which they can be controlled. Modem devicediscovery and control protocols such as the Universal Plug and Play(UPnP) protocol may be used to enable such functionality innetwork-attached devices. However, protocols such as UPnP requirecompliant products that: (a) are adapted for network connectivity and(b) possess modest computational and storage resources. Conventionalconsumer electronic devices such as those described above typically lackthese features. Thus, consumers that wish to enable these features havelittle choice but to wait for protocol-compliant devices to come tomarket and discard their current legacy devices.

In addition to being incompatible with packet-based communicationprotocols and modem device discovery and control protocols, consumerelectronic devices that rely on IR or serial communication protocolssuffer from a number of other disadvantages. For example, the vastmajority of legacy consumer electronic devices lack a feedback mechanismthrough which device state can be reported. Modem device discovery andcontrol protocols such as the UPnP protocol typically allow compliantunits to publish methods by which an interested network entity mightquery them for state information. The majority of consumer electronics,however, do not have status reporting mechanisms. For example, consumerIR, which is the dominant form of IR communication, is largelyuni-directional.

Also, in order to control consumer electronic devices that rely on IRcommunication, IR transmitters (also known as “remotes”) must be placedwithin a very short range of a target device, and transmission pathsmust be free of obstructions, including physical barriers such as walls.The requirement of close physical proximity and a clear line-of-sightplaces severe limitations on the manner in which consumer electronicdevices that rely on IR may be controlled.

What is desired, then, is a device that allows legacy consumerelectronic devices to be controlled via a network, such as a wired orwireless residential network. To this end, the desired device shouldtranslate between packet-based communication protocols, such as TCP/IP,and communication protocols used by legacy consumer electronic devices,such as IR and serial protocols.

The desired device should also link the world of modem device discoveryand control protocols (such as the UPnP protocol) to the world of legacydevices. For example, the desired device should provide UPnP control andmanagement functionality to legacy devices, while permitting additional“true” UPnP devices to be added to a network as they become available.

The desired device should also be able to determine or deduce the stateof one or more legacy consumer electronic devices. The desired deviceshould then be able to publish this state information to interestednetwork entities.

The desired device should further allow control of legacy devicesthrough a network, thereby obviating the use of traditional directline-of-sight IR controllers. Consequently, a user of the desired deviceshould not need to be in the same room as or have a clear path to thedevices that he or she wishes to control. The desired device should thusprovide true “remote” control.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a legacy device bridge that enablesconsumer electronic devices to be controlled via a network, such as awired or wireless residential network. In an embodiment, the legacydevice bridge translates between packet-based communication protocols,such as TCP/IP, and communication protocols used by legacy consumerelectronic devices, such as IR and serial protocols, in order to performthis function.

The present invention is also directed to a virtualization appliancethat links the world of modem device discovery and control protocols,such as the UPnP protocol, to the world of legacy devices. In anembodiment, the virtualization appliance provides UPnP control andmanagement functionality to legacy devices, and also permits native UPnPdevices to be added to a network as they become available.

The present invention is further directed to a legacy device bridge thatextracts state information concerning legacy consumer electronic devicesand provides that information to interested network devices. In anembodiment, the legacy device bridge uses probes to extractenvironmental information from which the state of one or more legacyconsumer electronic devices may be determined. State information is thenreported to interested network entities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts an example environment in which an embodiment of thepresent invention may operate.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual drawing of the physical structure of an exemplaryoperating environment that includes a legacy device bridge in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a legacy device bridge in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling legacy devicesusing a legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate examples of a legacy device bridge inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a network system that provides for remote storage oflegacy device codes in accordance with such an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart of a method for controlling legacy devicesusing a legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein legacy device control codes are storedremotely.

FIG. 8 depicts a legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention that includes an IR beacon for providinglocation awareness information.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of a method for using a legacy device bridgefor providing location awareness information in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a legacy device virtualization appliance inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart of a method for legacy devicevirtualization, advertisement and control in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a legacy device bridge adapted for extracting andreporting legacy device state in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a processor-based computer system for implementingvarious features of the present invention.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings in which like reference charactersidentify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, likereference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar,and/or structurally similar elements. The drawings in which an elementfirst appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the correspondingreference number.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

A legacy device bridge for use in a network, such as a wired or wirelessresidential network, is provided. As will be described in more detailherein, the legacy device bridge performs protocol conversion to enablea network-attached entity that uses a packet-based communicationprotocol to communicate with and control legacy devices, such asconsumer electronics, that rely exclusively on infrared (IR) or serialcommunication protocols. The legacy device bridge also performs avirtualization function that allows legacy devices to be advertised tothe network as devices that comply with a packet-based discovery andcontrol protocol, such as the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol,and to be controlled as such. The legacy device bridge is also adaptedto probe, deduce and publish information relating to the state of alegacy device to other entities on the network.

B. Example Operating Environment

FIG. 1 depicts an example environment 100 in which embodiments of thepresent invention can operate. It should be understood that exampleoperating environment 100 is shown for illustrative purposes only anddoes not limit the present invention. Other implementations of exampleoperating environment 100 will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein, and theinvention is directed to such other implementations.

As depicted in FIG. 1, example operating environment 100 includes aplurality of devices that are communicatively connected to a network102. In an embodiment, network 102 comprises a residential network forcommunicatively connecting devices within a home. In accordance withsuch an embodiment, network 102 may comprise, for example, a home phoneline network, a home power line network, an Ethernet network, a wirelessnetwork, or any combination of the above. However, the invention is notlimited to residential networks, and network 102 may comprise any typeof residential or non-residential network, including but not limited toa local area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN), such as theInternet.

As will be described in more detail below, network 102 comprises one ormore legacy device bridges 124 a, 124 b and 124 c in accordance with thepresent invention. These legacy device bridges facilitate communicationbetween devices adapted for communication in accordance with apacket-based communication protocol, such as TCP/IP, and legacy consumerelectronic devices that are not so adapted. Devices adapted forcommunication in accordance with a packet-based communication protocolcan include, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) 106, atablet PC 108, and/or a PC-based computer system 110. Legacy consumerelectronic devices that are not so adapted, and that may rely on, forexample, IR or serial communication protocols, can include a television112, a VCR and/or DVD player 114, a stereo receiver 116, an electronicthermostat 118, a lamp 120, and/or a video camera 122. These examplesare not intended to be limiting, however, and an embodiment of thepresent invention may be used to facilitate communication between legacyand non-legacy devices other than those shown in FIG. 1.

In accordance with example operating environment 100, centralizedcontrol of network 102 and the various entities connected thereto isprovided by a control server 104. In particular, control server 104manages communication between and provides shared resources to variousentities attached to network 102. Controllers, which can include, forexample PDA 106, tablet PC 108, and/or PC-based computer system 110,permit a user to interface with control server 104 and control thefunction of other devices and/or applications coupled to network 102,such as television 112, VCR and/or DVD player 114, stereo receiver 116,electronic thermostat 118, lamp 120, and/or video camera 122.

A more detailed example of control server 104, controllers, and anetwork that provides centralized command and control of devices andapplications in residential or non-residential environment may be foundin commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/180,500, entitled “Method, System, and Computer Program Product forManaging Controlled Residential or Non-residential Environments,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. As will beappreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on theteachings provided herein, a legacy device bridge in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention may advantageously be used toimplement controlled residential and non-residential environments asdisclosed in that application.

However, as stated above, example operating environment 100 is shown forillustrative purposes only and does not limit the present invention.Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may also be used in ade-centralized network environment, such as an environment without acentralized control server 104. For example, an embodiment of thepresent invention may operate in a network environment in which networkcontrol and management functionality is distributed among one or morelegacy device bridges, thereby forming a peer-to-peer network.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual drawing of the physical structure of an exemplaryoperating environment 200 that includes a legacy device bridge 208 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.2, the exemplary operating environment includes a centralized controlsystem 202, a first level of addressable and discoverable devices 204,and a second level of legacy devices 206. Control system 202 coordinatescommunication between and access to the various devices included withinoperating environment 200. In an embodiment, control system 202 isresponsible for storing information pertaining to the persistent stateof devices, the location of devices (such as room assignments), userpreferences and control macros, and command codes for communicating withone or more devices.

Addressable and discoverable devices 204 comprise one or more devicesthat are communicatively coupled to control system 202 via a network,such as a residential network, and that are adapted to be assigned anetwork address and discovered and controlled by other devices on thenetwork. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,addressable and discoverable devices 204 are adapted for compliance witha packet-based discovery and control protocol, such as the UPnPprotocol. Addressable and discoverable devices 204 may comprise, forexample, one or more UPnP-compliant PCs, peripherals, intelligentappliances, and/or wireless devices.

Legacy devices 206 comprise devices that can be controlled withinoperating environment 200, but which are not specially adapted fordiscovery and control by other devices on the network. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, legacy devices 206 compriseconventional consumer electronic devices that rely on IR or serialcommunication and control protocols, and that are not compliant with apacket-based discovery and control protocol, such as the UPnP protocol.Legacy devices 206 may comprise, for example, one or more televisions,VCRs, DVD players, stereo receivers and/or other audio equipment, videocameras, thermostats, or lamps.

As shown in FIG. 2, legacy device bridge 208 comprises an interfacebetween addressable and discoverable devices 204 and legacy devices 206.As will be described in more detail herein, legacy device bridge 208performs this function by converting between a packet-basedcommunication protocol, such as TCP/IP, and IR or serial-basedcommunication protocols.

As will also be described herein, in an embodiment, legacy device bridge208 further provides a virtual representation of each of legacy devices206 to addressable and discoverable devices 204 and central controller202, thereby causing legacy devices 206 to appear on the network asaddressable and discoverable devices that comply with a packet-baseddiscovery and control protocol, such as the UPnP protocol, and to becontrolled as such. In an alternate embodiment, central controller 202performs the function of providing a virtual representation of each oflegacy devices 206 to addressable and discoverable devices 204.

Finally, as will also be described herein, in an embodiment, legacydevice bridge 208 is also adapted to probe, deduce and reportinformation relating to the state of legacy devices 206 to otherentities on the network. In a further embodiment, legacy device bridge208 also stores state information pertaining to legacy devices 206.

C. Legacy Device Bridge in Accordance with Embodiments of the PresentInvention

FIG. 3 illustrates an example legacy device bridge 302 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, legacydevice bridge 302 comprises at least one network interface 304 forcommunicating with devices on a network using a packet-basedcommunication protocol, such as TCP/IP, and at least one legacy deviceinterface 306 for communicating with legacy devices using, for example,an IR or serial communication protocol. In an embodiment, networkinterface 304 comprises a wireless transceiver adapted for communicationover a wireless local area network (WLAN) in accordance with the IEEE802.11b communication protocol, or any of the other IEEE 802.11protocols, including but not limited to the 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b or802.11g protocols. In accordance with such an embodiment, networkconnectivity is achieved by situating legacy device bridge 302 in alocation that is within the effective range of a wireless network accesspoint.

In an embodiment, legacy device bridge 302 comprises an IP-addressabledevice that is adapted to use standard Internet protocols such asDynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to automatically configureitself for network communication. Accordingly, other network entitiescan communicate with legacy device bridge 302 via network interface 304by using the IP address assigned to legacy device bridge 302. As will bediscussed in more detail below, legacy device bridge 302 may also use adevice discovery and control protocol, including but not limited to theUPnP protocol, to advertise its presence to other entities on thenetwork and to publish command sets for legacy devices that it controls.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart 400 of a method for controlling legacydevices, such as conventional consumer electronic devices, using alegacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The invention, however, is not limited to the descriptionprovided by the flowchart 400. Rather, it will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art(s) from the teachings provided herein thatother functional flows are within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. The flowchart 400 will be described with continued referenceto the exemplary legacy device bridge 302 of FIG. 3, although theinvention is not limited to that embodiment.

The method of flowchart 400 begins at step 402, in which a networkdevice, which is adapted for communication in accordance with apacket-based communication protocol, sends a command to control a legacydevice to legacy device bridge 302. Commands can originate from anywherein the network, which may include locations physically distant fromlegacy device bridge 302. At step 404, legacy device bridge 302 receivesthe command via network interface 304. At step 406, legacy device bridge302 translates the received command from a packet-based communicationprotocol to a protocol suitable for receipt by the legacy device, suchas an IR protocol or a serial protocol. This translation function may beexecuted in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. At step 408,legacy device bridge 302 transmits the translated command via legacydevice interface 306 to the legacy device for which it is intended.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate further examples of a legacy devicebridge in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.For example, FIG. 5A depicts a legacy device bridge 502 that includes anIP network interface 504 for communicating with devices on an IP networkand an IR interface 506 for communicating with legacy devices using anIR communication protocol. Legacy device bridge 502 converts IP-basedcommands received via IP network interface 504 into a series of IRpulses which are then transmitted over IR interface 506 to a legacydevice. In an embodiment, legacy device bridge 502 includes multiple IRinterfaces 506 for communicating with multiple legacy devices.

In an embodiment, IR interface 506 comprises an IR transmitter adaptedfor wireless one-way communication with IR-capable legacy devices. In analternate embodiment, IR interface 506 comprises an IRtransmitter/receiver pair, or IR transceiver, adapted for wirelesstwo-way communication with IR-capable legacy devices. In accordance withthese embodiments, wireless IR communication with a legacy device isachieved by situating legacy device bridge 502 in a location that isalong a clear line-of-sight path to and within a certain predefinedtransmission range of the legacy device.

In an alternate embodiment, IR interface 506 comprises an interfaceadapted for wired communication with a legacy device by means of, forexample, an IR dongle. In accordance with this alternate embodiment,legacy device bridge 502 need not be situated in any particular locationfor effective communication with the legacy device.

FIG. 5B depicts a legacy device bridge 508 that includes an IP networkinterface 510 for communicating with devices on an IP network and aserial interface 512 for communicating with legacy devices using aserial communication protocol. Legacy device bridge 508 convertsIP-based commands received via IP network interface 510 into a serialdata stream which is then transmitted over serial interface 512 to alegacy device. In an embodiment, legacy device bridge 508 includesmultiple serial interfaces 512 for communicating with multiple legacydevices.

In an embodiment, serial interface 512 comprises a Universal Serial Bus(USB) interface for communicating in accordance with the USB protocol.In an alternate embodiment, serial interface 512 comprises an RS-232interface for communicating in accordance with the RS-232 protocol.However, these examples are not intended to be limiting and other serialcommunication protocols may be used.

FIG. 5C depicts a legacy device bridge 514 that includes an IP networkinterface 516 for communicating with devices on an IP network, an IRinterface 518 for communicating with legacy devices using an IRcommunication protocol, and a serial interface 520 for communicatingwith legacy devices using a serial communication protocol. Legacy devicebridge 514 converts IP-based commands received via IP network interface516 into a series of IR pulses which are then transmitted over IRinterface 518 to a legacy device. Legacy device bridge 514 also convertsIP-based commands received via IP network interface 516 into a serialdata stream which is then transmitted over serial interface 520 to alegacy device. In an embodiment, legacy device bridge 514 includesmultiple IR interfaces 518 for communicating with multiple legacydevices and/or multiple serial interfaces 520 for communicating withmultiple legacy devices.

1. Remote Storage and Transmission of Legacy Device Control Codes

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, networkdevices generate commands from a common set of high-level commands, suchas “power on” and “power off,” to control legacy devices connected tothe network via a legacy device bridge. These high-level commands arethen mapped to low-level IR or serial control codes unique to eachlegacy device. In an embodiment, the IR or serial control codes for eachlegacy device are stored in the legacy device bridge that controls thedevice, and the legacy device bridge performs the necessary function ofmapping high-level commands to low-level commands.

Alternatively, low-level IR or serial control codes are stored in adevice other than the legacy device bridge. For example, in order tominimize the storage resources required to implement the legacy devicebridge, low-level IR or serial control codes can be stored in a morepowerful network device, such as a server located on the network. Thismechanism of storing the low-level control codes in a single locationhas the added advantage of allowing for easy updates of those codes, asopposed to storing a copy of the low-level control codes in everynetwork device that can operate as a controller of the legacy device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a network system 600 that provides for remote storageof legacy device codes in accordance with such an embodiment of thepresent invention. Network system 600 includes a controller 604, whichmay comprise for example a handheld controller or a PC, a control server606, and a legacy device bridge 608, each of which is communicativelycoupled to an IP network 602. Legacy device bridge 608 is also incommunication with legacy devices 610 a, 610 b and 610 c. The low-levelIR or serial control codes 612 necessary for controlling legacy devices610 a-610 c are stored in control server 606. Control server 606 mayalso store other low-level IR or serial control codes necessary forcontrolling legacy devices connected to IP network 602 via other legacydevice bridges (not shown in FIG. 6).

These low-level IR or serial control codes may be provided to thecontrol server 606 using a variety of techniques. In an embodiment, auser manually enters the control codes into legacy device bridge 608, orsome other network entity, and they are then uploaded to control server606. In an alternate embodiment, legacy device bridge 608 is configuredto obtain the control codes from a legacy device through an automaticprocess, such as two-way IR queries between legacy device bridge 608 andthe legacy device, and then to upload the control codes to controlserver 606.

FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart 700 of a method for controlling legacydevices using a legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein legacy device codes are stored remotely.The invention, however, is not limited to the description provided bythe flowchart 700. Rather, it will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) from the teachings provided herein that other functionalflows are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Theflowchart 700 will be described with continued reference to networksystem 600 of FIG. 6, although the invention is not limited to thatembodiment.

The method of flowchart 700 begins at step 702, in which portablecontroller 604 generates a high-level command for controlling one oflegacy devices 610 a-610 c. For the purposes of this example, we willassume that portable controller generates a high-level command forcontrolling legacy device 610 a. The high-level command may be selectedfrom a predefined list of high-level commands that are stored byportable controller 604, or which are made available to portablecontroller by control server 606, legacy device bridge 608, or someother entity on network 602.

At step 704, portable controller 604 transmits the high-level command tocontrol server 606 over IP network 602. At step 706, control server 606receives the high-level command and maps it to a corresponding one ofthe low-level serial or IR control codes for controlling legacy device610 a, which are stored in control server 606. At step 708, controlserver 606 transmits the corresponding low-level serial or IR controlcode to the appropriate legacy device bridge 608. At step 710, legacydevice bridge 608 converts the low-level control code, which has beentransmitted to it in an IP format, to an appropriate format fortransmission to legacy device 610 a, such as to a series of IR pulses ora serial stream of data. At step 712, legacy device bridge transmits thelow-level control code to the appropriate legacy device 610 a.

2. Position Finding in Indoor Environments

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the legacy devicebridge may be configured to serve as an IR beacon for providing locationawareness information. For example, the legacy device bridge may beconfigured to serve as an IR beacon for identifying the location of ahandheld controller within a controlled residential environment. Suchlocation awareness information may then be used by a network entity,such as a central server, to reconfigure the handheld controller forcommand and control of selected devices within a certain vicinity of thehandheld controller.

A more complete description of the use of location awareness informationfor managing controlled environments may be found in commonly owned,co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/180,500, entitled“Method, System, and Computer Program Product for Managing ControlledResidential or Non-residential Environments,” the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein. As will be appreciated by personsskilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided herein, alegacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may advantageously be used to implement controlled residentialand non-residential environments as disclosed in that application.

In an embodiment, the legacy device bridge is equipped with an IrDA(Infrared Data Association) beacon for providing location awarenessinformation. Given the short range of IR pulses, IrDA beacons are anefficient way of providing coarse-granularity position finding in anindoor environment. In accordance with such an embodiment, the legacydevice bridge is programmed to emit a set of infrared pulses thatuniquely identifies the bridge to handheld controllers which arecommunicatively coupled to a network. These codes can then be mapped to,or associated with, room locations by a central server coupled to thenetwork, or, alternatively, a mapping table can be stored in thehandheld controller for performing this function.

In an embodiment, the IR beacon pulse is run-time configurable as is thebeacon frequency. For example, the legacy bridge device can emit anidentifier (ID) that conforms to standard IR data transfer protocolssuch as IrDA. In an embodiment, the legacy device bridge transmits an IDthat corresponds to its globally unique MAC (media access code) address.

FIG. 8 depicts a legacy device bridge 800 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention that includes an IR beacon forproviding location awareness information. As shown in FIG. 8, legacydevice bridge 800 includes a wireless interface 802, such as an 802.11btransceiver, for providing wireless connectivity to an IP network, oneor more IR interfaces 804 for communicating with IR-enabled legacydevices, one or more serial interfaces 806 for communicating withserial-enabled legacy devices, and an IrDA beacon 808. In accordancewith this embodiment, legacy device bridge 800 must be positioned sothat there is a clear transmission path between IrDA beacon 808 andmobile controllers passing within its vicinity, thereby ensuring thatthe mobile controllers can receive signals transmitted by IrDA beacon808.

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart 900 of a method for using a legacy devicebridge for providing location awareness information in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The invention, however, is notlimited to the description provided by the flowchart 900. Rather, itwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from theteachings provided herein that other functional flows are within thescope and spirit of the present invention.

The method of flowchart 900 begins at step 902, in which a legacy devicebridge emits an IR signal to a mobile controller, wherein the IR signalcomprises a unique ID assigned to the legacy device bridge. As discussedabove, the IR signal may be emitted by an IrDA beacon which comprisespart of the legacy device bridge. At step 904, the mobile controllerreceives the IR signal and extracts the unique ID of the legacy devicebridge therefrom. At step 906, the mobile controller transmits theunique ID to a central server over an IP network. At step 908, thecentral server maps the unique ID to a given location within acontrolled environment. In an embodiment, this mapping function isperformed by accessing a table stored by the central server that mapslegacy device bridges to locations within the controlled environment. Atstep 910, the central server sends configuration information to themobile controller based on the location identified in step 908. Thisconfiguration information is used to reconfigure the mobile controllerfor the command and control of selected devices within a certainvicinity of the location identified in step 908.

In an alternate embodiment of the method of flowchart 900, the mobilecontroller performs the function of mapping the unique ID to a givenlocation within a controlled environment. In accordance with thisalternate embodiment, the mobile controller transmits an identifiedlocation to the central server, and the central server sendsconfiguration information to the mobile controller based on theidentified location.

3. Stateful Binding of Stateless Devices

A legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention is configured to prevent communication between the legacydevice bridge and more than one control server, such as control server104. This could occur, for example, where multiple control servers aresharing, either advertently or inadvertently, a wireless network (forexample, in a WLAN, they share the same SSID (Service Set Identifier)).Such an overlap may expose a network-controlled environment to undesiredoutside control, such as control by a neighbor.

In an embodiment, the legacy device bridge avoids this problem bystoring the network address of the first control server that contactsthe bridge after it is connected to the network. Then, future incomingpackets received from any other address are discarded. In an alternateembodiment, the address of the control server is configured out-of-band.For example, the address of the control server may be provided to thelegacy device bridge using IR or serial communication with acorresponding IR or serial interface. After the address has been soconfigured, incoming packets received from any other address arediscarded.

3. Miscellaneous Features

In an embodiment of the present invention, the legacy device bridge isadapted to act as a room controller. In accordance with such anembodiment, the legacy device bridge is adapted as follows:

The legacy device bridge is adapted to automatically configure itself inmost home networking environments, although some cases may requiredirect user intervention in order to configure the bridge.

To facilitate ease of use, the legacy device bridge is adapted for IrDAout-of-band configuration. For example, the legacy device bridge can beprogrammed to accept network configuration parameters from an IR portusing industry-standard data transmission protocols.

The legacy device bridge is adapted to learn new legacy device codes,such as IR or serial control codes. For example, although a sizable bodyof IR codes exist in commercial databases, the broad range of availableconsumer electronic devices make claims of absolute compatibilitydifficult. Thus, in order to guarantee interoperability with legacyconsumer electronic devices, a legacy device bridge in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention is adapted to be placed in astate where it can receive and store new IR or serial control codes. Inan embodiment, the IR or serial control codes may be transmitted byanother device, such as an IR remote control device. The legacy devicebridge may store learned codes internally or upload them to a server onthe network for storage.

Cost is a major factor for the design a legacy device bridge inaccordance with the present invention. Accordingly, in an embodiment,software is used to perform functions typically assigned to hardware,thereby reducing overall part-count. For example, in an embodiment,consumer IR signals for communicating with legacy devices and IrDAsignals for providing location awareness information are multiplexedonto a single IR emitter/receiver pair.

D. Method for Legacy Device Virtualization, Advertisement and Control inAccordance with Embodiments of the Present Invention

A legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a virtualization appliance that enables a legacydevice, such as a conventional consumer electronic device, to beadvertised to and controlled by network-connected elements as if thelegacy device were compliant with a packet-based discovery and controlprotocol, such as UPnP. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in therelevant art(s), UPnP is an open industry standard that uses Internetand Web protocols to enable devices such as PCs, peripherals,intelligent appliances, and wireless devices to be connected to anetwork and to become automatically aware of each other. In accordancewith UPnP, when a user plugs a device into the network, the deviceconfigures itself, acquires a TCP/IP address, and uses a discoveryprotocol based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to announce itspresence to other devices on the network. Other UPnP-compliant networkentities may then negotiate a communication protocol with the device,determine its capabilities, and control it.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the legacydevice bridge acts as a UPnP proxy for a piece of legacy equipment. Thebridge advertises itself to other network entities as a UPnP device,exhibiting attributes similar to the legacy device it is masqueradingas. When UPnP commands arrive from the network, the legacy device bridgetranslates them into an appropriate set of commands for controlling thelegacy device, such as IR commands or serial commands. Note thatalthough this embodiment is described with respect to UPnPvirtualization, the present invention is not limited to UPnPvirtualization, but also encompasses legacy device virtualization inaccordance with other packet-based discovery and control protocols,including but not limited to Jini™, developed by Sun Microsystems ofSanta Clara, Calif., or the Rendezvous™ protocol, which is an openprotocol developed, in part, by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.

FIG. 10 illustrates a legacy device virtualization appliance 1002 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.10, virtualization appliance 1002 comprises at least one networkinterface 1004 for communicating with devices on a network using apacket-based discovery and control protocol, such as UPnP, and at leastone legacy device interface 1006 for communicating with legacy devicesusing, for example, an IR or serial communication protocol. In anembodiment, network interface 1004 comprises an 802.11b wirelesstransceiver adapted for communication with IP networks. In accordancewith such an embodiment, network connectivity is achieved by situatingvirtualization appliance 1002 in a location that is within the effectiverange of a wireless network access point.

FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart 1100 of a method for legacy devicevirtualization, advertisement and control in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The invention, however, is notlimited to the description provided by the flowchart 1100. Rather, itwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts) from theteachings provided herein that other functional flows are within thescope and spirit of the present invention. The flowchart 1100 will bedescribed with continued reference to the exemplary virtualizationappliance 1002 of FIG. 10, although the invention is not limited to thatembodiment.

The method of flowchart 1100 begins at step 1102, in which thevirtualization appliance 1002 detects a legacy device, such as aconsumer electronic device, that it will control. By detecting legacydevices, virtualization appliance 1002 builds a list of legacy devicesunder its control. In an embodiment, virtualization appliance 1002 ismade aware of a legacy devices through manual programming ofvirtualization appliance 1002 by a user. In an alternate embodiment,virtualization appliance 1002 detects a legacy device through anautomatic process, such as two-way IR queries between virtualizationappliance 1002 and a legacy device.

At step 1104, virtualization appliance 1002 acquires and stores controlcodes for the legacy device. In an embodiment, these control codes areobtained through manual programming of virtualization appliance 1002 bya user. In an alternate embodiment, virtualization appliance 1002obtains the control codes through an automatic process, such as two-wayIR queries between virtualization appliance 1002 and a legacy device.

At step 1106, virtualization appliance 1002 advertises the legacy deviceto the network as a UPnP device possessing attributes and controlssimilar to the legacy device it is masquerading for. In an embodiment,this step includes publishing a list of standard UPnP commands forcontrolling the legacy device, wherein the published UpnP commandscorrespond to one or more of the low-level legacy device codes acquiredin step 1104. As a result of this step, entities on the network perceivevirtualization appliance 1002 as a piece of IP-addressable andcontrollable consumer electronics.

At step 1108, a network entity transmits a standard UPnP command, suchas “Power On” or “Power Off”, to control the legacy device, and thisUPnP command is received by virtualization appliance 1002. At step 1110,virtualization appliance 1002 converts the UPnP command to acorresponding control code for the legacy device, and at step 1112,virtualization appliance 1002 transmits the corresponding control codeto the legacy device. By converting UpnP commands to legacy devicecontrol codes in this manner, virtualization appliance 1002 acts as atransparent proxy between network entities and the legacy device.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, legacy devicevirtualization is performed by a network entity other than the legacydevice bridge, such as by control server 102 described above inreference to FIG. 1. In accordance with this embodiment, control server102 performs the functions of acquiring and storing control codes for alegacy device, advertising the legacy device to the network as a UPnPdevice, and converting UPnP commands received from network entities tocorresponding control codes for the legacy device. The control serverthen sends these control codes to a legacy device bridge that convertsthem from an IP format to the appropriate legacy device format, such asan IR or serial format. Thus, in accordance with this embodiment,control server 102 performs the virtualization functions and uses thelegacy device bridge as a simple IP-to-IR/serial converter-transmitter.The decision as to whether the control server 102 or the legacy devicebridge is used to perform the virtualization function turns primarily oncost. One of the advantages of using a centralized server as thevirtualization machine is that the legacy device bridges can be mademore cheaply, since they will require less resources for processing andstorage.

E. Method for Reporting State in Legacy Devices in Accordance withEmbodiments of the Present Invention

An embodiment of the present invention facilitates the reporting ofdevice state in legacy consumer electronic devices. Conventional devicediscovery and control protocols, such as UPnP, typically allow compliantdevices to publish methods by which interested network entities mayquery them for state information. For example, a UPnP home controllermight wish to query a UPnP TV to see if it is currently on. The majorityof conventional consumer electronics, however, do not provide suchstatus reporting mechanisms.

Accordingly, a legacy device bridge in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention uses probes to extract information from itsenvironment to extrapolate device state. For example, FIG. 12 depicts alegacy device bridge 1202 adapted for extracting and reporting legacydevice state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 12, legacy device bridge 1202 comprises alight-sensitive probe 1204 that is aimed at the screen of a legacytelevision 1208. Light sensitive probe 1204 comprises a simple on/offmeter that is used to determine whether legacy television 1206 is on oroff. This state information may then be reported by legacy device bridge1202 to other devices on a packet network via a network interface 1206.In an embodiment, legacy device bridge 1202 comprises a virtualizationappliance that publishes state information to other devices on a packetnetwork in accordance with a packet-based discovery and controlprotocol, such as UPnP.

As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), stateprobes other than a light sensitive probe may be used to extractinformation relating to the state of a legacy device in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The types of state probe will varywith respect to the device state that the legacy device bridge isattempting to discern.

F. Processor-Based Implementations

The functions of a legacy device bridge, virtualization appliance,control server or other network entity described herein, may beimplemented in software and executed by one or more processor-basedcomputer systems. FIG. 13 depicts an example computer system 1300 thatmay execute software for implementing the features of the presentinvention, including, but not limited to, any or all of the method stepsof flowcharts 400, 700, 900, or 1100 described above in reference toFIGS. 4, 7, 9 and 11, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 13, example computer system 1300 includes a processor1302 for executing software routines in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. Although a single processor is shown for the sakeof clarity, computer system 1300 may also comprise a multi-processorsystem. Processor 1302 is connected to a communications infrastructure1304 for communication with other components of computer system 1300.Communications infrastructure 1304 may comprise, for example, acommunications bus, cross-bar, or network.

Computer system 1300 further includes a main memory 1306, such as arandom access memory (RAM), and a secondary memory 1308. Secondarymemory 1308 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1310 and/or aremovable storage drive 1312, which may comprise a floppy disk drive, amagnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, flash memory, or the like.Removable storage drive 1312 reads from and/or writes to a removablestorage unit 1314 in a well known manner. Removable storage unit 1314may comprise a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, or the like,which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 1312. As willbe appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), removablestorage unit 1314 includes a computer usable storage medium havingstored therein computer software and/or data.

In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 1308 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 1300. Such means can include, for example, aremovable storage unit 1318 and an interface 1316. Examples of aremovable storage unit 1318 and interface 1316 include a programcartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video gameconsole devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM)and associated socket, and other removable storage units 1318 andinterfaces 1316 that allow software and data to be transferred fromremovable storage unit 1318 to computer system 1300.

Computer system 1300 further includes a display interface 1320 thatforwards graphics, text, and other data from communicationsinfrastructure 1304 or from a frame buffer (not shown) for display to auser on a display unit 1322.

Computer system 1300 also includes a communication interface 1324.Communication interface 1324 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 1300 and external devices via a communicationpath 1326. Examples of communication interface 1324 include a modem, anetwork interface (such as Ethernet card or 802.11b interface), acommunication port, and the like. Communication interface 1324 may alsoinclude I/O communication interfaces common to consumer electronicdevices, such as one or more IR ports and/or serial ports. Software anddata transferred via communication interface 1324 are in the form ofsignals 1328 which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or othersignals capable of being received by communication interface 1324. Thesesignals 1328 are provided to communication interface 1324 viacommunication path 1326.

As used herein, the term “computer program product” may refer, in part,to removable storage unit 1314, removable storage unit 1318, a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive 1310, or a carrier wave carrying softwareover communication path 1326 (wireless link or cable) to communicationinterface 1324. A computer useable medium can include magnetic media,optical media, or other recordable media, or media that transmits acarrier wave or other signal. These computer program products are meansfor providing software to computer system 1300.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 1306 and/or secondary memory 1308. Computer programs canalso be received via communication interface 1324. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable computer system 1300 to perform thefeatures of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular,the computer programs, when executed, enable processor 1302 to performthe features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computerprograms represent controllers of the computer system 1300.

The features of the present invention can be implemented as controllogic in software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof. In anembodiment where features of the present invention are implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into computer system 1300 using removable storage drive 1312,hard disk drive 1310 or communication interface 1324. Alternatively, thecomputer program product may be downloaded to computer system 1300 overcommunication path 1326. The software, when executed by processor 1302,causes processor 1302 to perform features of the invention as describedherein.

In another embodiment, features of the present invention are implementedin firmware and/or hardware using, for example, hardware components suchas application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of ahardware state machine so as to perform the functions described hereinwill be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) from theteachings herein.

G. Alternate Embodiments of the Present Invention

It should be noted that the legacy device bridge and virtualizationappliance described herein are not limited to use of the 802.11bstandard as a wireless communications medium. Although 802.11b may beused due to its low cost-of-goods and relative speed, any IP-capablewireless protocol, including but not limited to 802.11a or 802.11g, canbe used as a substitute. Moreover, the legacy device bridge andvirtualization appliance is not limited to use of a wireless protocolfor IP-based networking. Although wireless devices may be used due totheir convenience and lack of cabling, wireline communications,including but not limited to Ethernet, home phone line, or home powerline networking, can be used as a substitute.

It should also be noted that the legacy device bridge and virtualizationappliance described herein is not limited to the use of UPnP as adiscovery and control protocol. Although UPnP may be used because of itsgrowing acceptance as an industry standard in device discovery andcontrol, any conventional packet-based discovery and control protocol,including but not limited to Jini™, a protocol developed by SunMicrosystems of Santa Clara, Calif., or the Rendezvous™ protocol, anopen protocol developed, in part, by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino,Calif., can be used as a substitute.

Furthermore, the virtualization appliance described herein is notlimited to acting as a proxy for a single piece of legacy equipment.Rather, the virtualization appliance can advertise itself as any numberof devices. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the virtualization appliancecan also query a legacy device to obtain IR/serial command sets, thusobviating the need to store IR/serial command sets on the appliance or aseparate network server.

H. Conclusion

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilledin the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the breadthand scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling a consumer electronicdevice via a network that communicates information in accordance with apacket-based communication protocol, wherein the consumer electronicdevice is not adapted for communication in accordance with thepacket-based communication protocol, comprising: receiving a commandfrom a device communicatively coupled to the network, wherein thecommand is formatted in accordance with the packet-based communicationprotocol; determining if the command originated from a particularcontrol server communicatively coupled to the network; in response todetermining that the command did originate from the particular controlserver, converting the command into a format suitable for communicationwith the consumer electronic device; and transmitting the convertedcommand to the consumer electronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the command from the device communicatively coupled tothe network comprises receiving a command formatted in accordance withan Internet Protocol.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining ifthe command originated from the particular control servercommunicatively coupled to the network comprises comparing an addressassociated with the command to a network address associated with theparticular control server.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:storing the network address associated with the particular controlserver, wherein storing the network address associated with theparticular control server comprises storing an address associated with afirst packet received from the control server after becomingcommunicatively connected to the network.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the command comprises a generic command for controlling devicescommunicatively coupled to the network, and wherein the converting thecommand into the format suitable for communication with the consumerelectronic device comprises: translating the generic command to at leastone proprietary command for controlling the consumer electronic device.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting an infraredsignal from an infrared beacon to a portable controller devicecommunicatively coupled to the network, the infrared signal forproviding the portable controller device with location awarenessinformation, wherein the infrared signal and signals for communicatingwith the consumer electronic device are multiplexed onto a singleinfrared emitter/receiver pair.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: acquiring a network address for communication with theconsumer electronic device; and providing the network address to one ormore devices communicatively coupled to the network.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the particular control server communicatively coupledto the network is a unique control server.
 9. A legacy device bridge forcontrolling a consumer electronic device via a network that communicatesinformation in accordance with a packet-based communication protocol,wherein the consumer electronic device does not communicate inaccordance with the packet-based communication protocol, the legacydevice bridge comprising: a network interface that receives a commandfrom a device communicatively coupled to the network, wherein thecommand is formatted in accordance with the packet-based communicationprotocol; determining means for determining if the command originatedfrom a particular control server communicatively coupled to the network;conversion means for converting the command into a format suitable forcommunication with the consumer electronic device; and a legacy deviceinterface for transmitting the converted command to the consumerelectronic device; wherein the conversion means and the legacy deviceinterface operate only responsive to a determination by the determiningmeans that the command originated from the particular control server.10. The legacy device bridge of claim 9, wherein the command isformatted in accordance with an Internet Protocol.
 11. The legacy devicebridge of claim 9, wherein the network interface comprises a wirelessnetwork interface, and wherein the legacy device interface comprises awireless infrared interface.
 12. The legacy device bridge of claim 9,wherein the determining means comprises means for comparing an addressassociated with the command to a network address associated with theparticular control server.
 13. The legacy device bridge of claim 12,further comprising: storing means for storing the network addressassociated with the particular control server, wherein the storing meanscomprises means for storing an address associated with a first packetreceived from a control server after becoming communicatively connectedto the network.
 14. The legacy device bridge of claim 9, wherein thecommand comprises a generic command for controlling devicescommunicatively coupled to the network, and wherein the conversion meanscomprises means for translating the generic command to at least oneproprietary command for controlling the consumer electronic device. 15.The legacy device bridge of claim 9, further comprising: a beacon thattransmits an infrared signal to a portable controller devicecommunicatively coupled to the network, the infrared signal forproviding the portable controller device with location awarenessinformation, wherein the infrared signal and signals for communicatingwith the consumer electronic device are multiplexed onto a singleinfrared emitter/receiver pair.
 16. The legacy device bridge of claim 9,further comprising: virtualization means for acquiring a network addressfor communication with the consumer electronic device and for providingthe network address to one or more devices communicatively coupled tothe network.
 17. The legacy device bridge of claim 9, wherein theparticular control server communicatively coupled to the network is aunique server.
 18. A network system, comprising: a network thatcommunicates information in accordance with a packet-based communicationprotocol; a consumer electronic device that does not communicate inaccordance with the packet-based communication protocol; a legacy devicebridge coupled to the network; and a controller device coupled to thenetwork that generates a command for controlling the consumer electronicdevice, wherein the command is formatted in accordance with thepacket-based communication protocol; wherein the legacy device bridgereceives the command via the network, determines if the commandoriginated from a particular control server communicatively coupled tothe network, and, in response to a determination that the command didoriginate from the particular control server: converts the command intoa format suitable for communication with the consumer electronic device,and transmits the converted command to the consumer electronic device.19. The network system of claim 18, wherein the command comprises ageneric command for controlling devices communicatively coupled to thenetwork, and wherein the particular control server receives the genericcommand from the controller device, translates the generic command to atleast one proprietary command for controlling the consumer electronicdevice, and transmits the at least one proprietary command to the legacydevice bridge.
 20. The network system of claim 18, wherein the legacydevice bridge stores a network address associated with the particularcontrol server and ignores commands received from devices coupled to thenetwork having a network address that is not the same as the networkaddress of the particular control server.
 21. The network of claim 20,wherein the legacy device bridge stores the network address associatedwith the particular control server by storing an address associated witha first packet received from a control server after becomingcommunicatively connected to the network.
 22. The network system ofclaim 18, wherein the legacy device bridge transmits an infrared signalcomprising a particular identifier of the legacy device bridge to thecontroller device, wherein the controller device accesses locationawareness information associated with the particular identifier, andwherein the infrared signal and signals for communicating with theconsumer electronic device are multiplexed onto a single infraredemitter/receiver pair.
 23. The network system of claim 18, wherein theparticular control server communicatively coupled to the network is aunique control server.